Gate assembly

ABSTRACT

A gate member is mounted on a crankshaft extending between two supports for pivotal movements between a locked gate closing position, and an open position. The crankshaft has crank arms with free ends thereof movable over center between gate locking and gate opening positions, said free ends being pivotally connected to one longitudinal edge of the gate member. In the locked position of the gate member, a latch member at the other longitudinal edge of the gate member is engaged with latch members on the supports. A movable stop member can be positioned to restrict movement of the gate member from the locked position. To disengage the latch members and permit substantially free swinging movements of the gate member, the free ends of the crank arms are moved over center to thereby raise the gate member. After the latch members release, the gate member may be moved by the crankshaft and arms to a fully open position.

' United States Patent 1191 Lynch et al.

1451 Nov. 11, 1975 GATE ASSEMBLY [73] Assignee: Theodore J. Dolney, Vermillion, S.

Dak. a part interest [22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 430,798

[44] Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no.

[52] US. Cl. 49/246; 49/253; 49/254; 49/339; .49/394 [51] Int. Cl. EOSD 15/28 [58] Field of Search 49/240-246,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,209,400 12/1916 Cox 49/253 1,247,186 ll/l9l7 Wampach 49/253 3,768,203 l0/l973 Bellucci 49/254 Primary E.\aminerKenneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould, Smith & Edell ABSTRACT A gate member is mounted on a crankshaft extending between two supports for pivotal movements between a locked gate closing position, and an open position. The crankshaft has crank arms with free ends thereof movable over center between gate locking and gate opening positions, said free ends being pivotally connected to one longitudinal edge of the gate member. In the locked position of the gate member, a latch member at the other longitudinal edge of the gate member is engaged with latch members on the supports. A movable stop member can be positioned to restrict movement of the gate member from the locked position. To disengage the latch members and permit substantially free swinging movements of the gate member, the free ends of the crank arms are moved over center to thereby raise the gate member. After the latch members release, the gate member may be moved by the crankshaft and arms to a fully open position.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US Patent Nov. 11,1975

GATE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is a gate assembly which is especially useful in situations where there is a sudden surge from behind the gate when the gate member is first opened, such as in livestock pens, grain bins and truck beds, etc.

2. Description of the Prior Art In U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,247,186 and 1,264,857, the gate member or door is swung from a lower closed position to an elevated open position by a crank on a rotary shaft, but in neither case is the gate member in an overcenter locked condition or a past dead center open condition depending on gravity to maintain the open condition. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 485,007 and 582,865 there is vertical sliding initially and then upward swinging of the gate, but again there is no overcenter locking of the gate in the locked position or said dead center locking of the gate when the gate is in an elevated position.

Other U.S. Patents of interest are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,754,605; 2,736,553; and 794,819.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gate assembly includes a gate member, one longitudinal edge of which is connected to a pair of crank arms on a crankshaft. The crank arms are pivotally mounted on the gate member and the crankshaft is rotatably mounted on an outer side of spaced supports in a manner to cause an overcenter locking relationship of the gate member. When the gate is in the closed position, a latch bar fastened to the gate adjacent the other longitudinal edge thereof, engages a latch fastened to each of the supports on the outer side thereof to position the gate in the overcenter relationship and a stop member on the supports engages the gate member to maintain the locked position. When the stop member is removed and the crankshaft is operated, the gate member is initially moved from the overcenter relationship, then lifted upwardly so that the latch bar disengages the latches and thereafter swung upwardly about the axis of rotation of the crankshaft to an elevated, generally vertical open position beyond the 180 of movement. In the fully open position, the gate member has traveled past a dead center point into engagement with a restraining bar mounted between the upper ends of the supports and on inner sides thereof spaced from the latch members beyond the crankshaft. The force of gravity acting on the gate member holds it against the restraining bar and locks the gatemember in the open positon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the gate assembly;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the gate in a partially open position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing the gate in a fully open position; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen from the line 44 of FIG. 2 showing the details of a hinge used in the gate assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The gate assembly includes a gate member and spaced supports such as vertically extending mounting posts 12 and 14. While mounting posts 12 and 14 are shown, it will be appreciated that other supports such as side walls of other structures which define an opening to be provided with a gate will serve equally well as long as such side Walls are securely anchored. An elongated crankshaft 16 is journaled in brackets 18 and 20 which are fastened to outer surfaces at upper ends of the posts 12 and 14. Crankshaft 16 includes a handle portion 16c at one end and laterally extending crank arms 16a, l6bspaced longitudinally of the crankshaft I6. Arms 16a and 16b are pinned to U-shaped straps 22 and 24 which are in turn bolted to one longitudinal edge 10a of the gate member 10. This pinned connection provides a hinge-like connection between arms 16a and 16b of the crankshaft l6 and the gate member 10. The pin connecting arm 16a to strap 22 is referenced with the numeral 26 and the pin connecting arm 16b to strap 24 is referenced with the numeral 28. As shown, opposite transverse edges 10b, of the gate 10 are positioned adjacent each of the posts 12, 14 for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

A horizontal latch bar 30 is fastened to an outer surface 10d of the gate member 10 generally adjacent the other longitudinal edge lOe thereof. The latch bar 30 is secured to the surface 10d by suitable fasteners such as screws or the like A latch member 32, 34 is fastened to an outer surface of each of the posts l2, 14 by screws or the like so as to engage the latch bar 30 when the gate 10 is in the closed position. As shown, particularly in FIG. 1, a stop member 35 pivotally secured to the outer surface of the post 12 engages the outer surface 10d to limit movement of the gate from a desired degree of overcenter locked relationship. A horizontal restraining bar 36 is fastened at its opposite ends to inner surfaces of each of the posts l2, l4 spaced from the latch members 32, 34 beyond the rotary connection of the crankshaft 16 in the brackets 18, 20, also for a reason to be more fully described hereinafter.

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section of the gate assembly showing the gate member 10 initially moved upwardly during the first phase of opening so that the latch bar 30 disengages from latches 32, 34. This initial movement is caused as crank handle is rotated in .a counterclockwise direction past an overcenter position. As crank handle 160 is rotated in a further counterclockwise direction, crank arms 16a, and 1617 engage an adjacent portion of the longitudinal edge 10a and gate member 10 begins to swing outwardly about the axis of crank 16 until it eventually reaches the elevated, vertical position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings beyond of movement. In FIG. 3, the crankshaft l6 and arms 16a, 16b have moved the gate member 10 beyond a dead center point indicated by the vertical bro ken line A. This positions the gate member 10 in engagement with the restraining bar 36. vGate member 10 is held in this position by the force of gravity.

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of the hinge connection of the crank arm 16a to the bracket 22. Crank arm 16b is similarly connected to strap 24 and only the construction of crank arm 16a and strap 22 will be described in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the pivotal connection of crank arm 16b and strap 24 contains identical parts to that hereinafter described. It will be noted that as gate 10 is returned from the open position of FIG. 4 and positioned to be locked, the gate member 10 would normally depend from its pivotal connection to the arms 16a, 16b in a vertically disposed plane. This, of course, would result in the latch bar 30 not being received within the latch members 32 as the gate and associated parts move to the overcenter locked relationship. For the purpose of overcoming this problem, each hinged connection of the arms 16a, 16b is constructed with an adjustable friction fit. As seen particularly in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the crank arm 16a is a pair of spaced arms 160 which are disposed on opposite sides of the strap 22. As shown, strap 22 is bolted to gate member 10 so as to have a strap portion which loops upwardly over edge 10a in a manner to receive a sleeve 27 within the looped end and between the edge 10a. Sleeve 27 is normally formed from a plastic resilient material and is of a longitudinal dimension slightly greater than that of the transverse dimension of the looped strap portions of the strap 22. A pin 28, shown as a bolt and nut extends through openings in the crank arms 16a and q through the sleeve 27. In this manner, when the nut is applied to the bolt 28 the crank arms 160 each engage an opposite end of the sleeve 27 with a sufficient degree of frictional engagement to cause some restricted pivotal movement between the crank arms 16a and 1612, their respective sleeves 27 and straps 22, 24. Thus, as the gate 10 approaches the locking position of FIG. 3 responsive to clockwise rotation of the crank arm 16 the latch bar 30 is automatically maintained in a position to be engaged in the latch members 32, 34.

in summary. a gate assembly has been disclosed which is useful in situations involving a sudden surge when the gate is first opened. such as in livestock pens and grain bins for example. In the first phase of opening the gate 10 is moved from an overcenter locked condition by a counterclockwise movement of the crankshaft 16 so as to move the lower edge We of the gate 10 in a vertical direction to disengage the latch bar 30 from the latch members 32, 34. At this time, livestock or grain material behind the gate member 10 may surge forward causing the gate 10 to substantially freely pivot about the pin 28. The frictional pivot connection of the crank arms 16a. and 16b to the gate member 10 prevents the gate member 10 from dropping from a preceding animal and impacting against a succeeding animal as the animals pass through the gate member lduring initial periods of opening of the gate member 10. After the latch bar 30 is disengaged from the latch members 32, 34 continued movement of the crankshaft 16 in a counterclockwise direction causes the crank arm 16a, 16b to engage the upper edge a of the gate member 10 and move same to the position of FIG. 3 beyond 180 of travel wherein the gate member 10 is held in an open condition under the action of gravity as above described.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown. Modifications to this embodiment and other equivalent embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A gate assembly comprising:

a. a gate member having spaced longitudinal edges and spaced transverse edges;

b. a support adjacent each of said transverse edges defining an opening, said gate member having a locked position closing said opening, and an open position;

c. a crankshaft rotatably mounted on and extending between said supports adjacent one of said longitudinal edges, said crankshaft including a handle at one end, and crank arm means with a free end movable over center between gate locking and gate opening positions;

d. latch means on at least one of said gate member and supports generally adjacent the other of said longitudinal edges for latching said other longitudinal edge to said supports in the locked position of the gate member and for releasing said gate member upon movement of said one longitudinal edge a predetermined distance away from the locked position;

e. hinge means for pivotally connecting said free end of said crank arm means to said gate member adjacent said one longitudinal edge to permit positioning of said gate member in the locked position with said latch means engaded, or alternately to permit said one longitudinal edge of said gate member to be pivoted on the pivotal connection of said hinge means over center to release said latch means after a predetermined amount of morement over center; and

f. means for opposing the movement of said gate member from said over center locked position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said supports each include an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said latch means and said crankshaft are mounted on said outer suffaces, wherein an elongated restraining bar is mounted on said inner surfaces to extend between said supports, said restraining bar being positioned on said inner surfaces spaced opposite said crankshaft from said latch means; and wherein said last named means comprises a stop member pivotally mounted on said outer surface of one of said supports for movements into and out of the path of travel of said gate member from said over center locked position.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said crank arm means includes:

a. spaced pairs of crank arms extending laterally from said crankshaft and having aligned openings formed therein;

b. said hinge means includes U-shaped straps secured to one longitudinal edge of said gate member, each U-shaped strap having a strap portion positioned between the ends of one of said pair of arms;

0. a sleeve received between said one longitudinal edge and each of said strap portions of said U- shaped members and having a longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension of a respective strap portion; and

d. an adjustable pin received through said openings in respective ones of each of said pairs of crank arms and their respective sleeve, said pin being adjustable longitudinally thereof to cause frictional engagement of said pairs of crank arms with respect to said sleeves to frictionally restrict pivot movements between said gate member and said pairs of crank arms.

4. A gate assembly comprising:

a. a gate member having spaced longitudinal edges and spaced transverse edges;

b. a pair of spaced mounting supports;

c. a crankshaft rotatably mounted between the mounting supports, said crankshaft including a handle at one end and spaced pairs of crank arms positioned longitudinally of said crankshaft;

d. a pair of U-shaped straps fastened to one of said longitudinal edges of said gate member, each U- shaped strap having a strap portion spaced from said one longitudinal edge and positioned between the arms of one of the pair of crank arms;

e. hinge means for hingedly connectingsaid crank arm to said straps whereby said gate member may be positioned in an overcenter locked relationship and said gate member may be initially moved upward and thereafter pivoted to an open position when moved out of said overcenter locked relationship;

f. a latch member fastened to each mounting support;

g. a latch bar fastened to said gate member for engaging the latch members when the gate member is in said overcenter locked relationship;

h. restraining means for engaging and restraining the swinging movement of said gate member about the axis of said crankshaft to said open positionafter a center point of travel at swinging movement has been passed whereby said gate member is maintained in said open position by the force of gravity; and i. stop means for limiting movement of said gate member form said overcenter locked relationship. 5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said pairs of crank arms each have aligned openings formed therein and wherein said hinge means includes:

said gate member and said pairs of crank arms. 

1. A gate assembly comprising: a. a gate member having spaced longitudinal edges and spaced transverse edges; b. a support adjacent each of said transverse edges defining an opening, said gate member having a locked position closing said opening, and an open position; c. a crankshaft rotatably mounted on and extending between said supports adjacent one of said longitudinAl edges, said crankshaft including a handle at one end, and crank arm means with a free end movable over center between gate locking and gate opening positions; d. latch means on at least one of said gate member and supports generally adjacent the other of said longitudinal edges for latching said other longitudinal edge to said supports in the locked position of the gate member and for releasing said gate member upon movement of said one longitudinal edge a predetermined distance away from the locked position; e. hinge means for pivotally connecting said free end of said crank arm means to said gate member adjacent said one longitudinal edge to permit positioning of said gate member in the locked position with said latch means engaded, or alternately to permit said one longitudinal edge of said gate member to be pivoted on the pivotal connection of said hinge means over center to release said latch means after a predetermined amount of morement over center; and f. means for opposing the movement of said gate member from said over center locked position.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said supports each include an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said latch means and said crankshaft are mounted on said outer suffaces, wherein an elongated restraining bar is mounted on said inner surfaces to extend between said supports, said restraining bar being positioned on said inner surfaces spaced opposite said crankshaft from said latch means; and wherein said last named means comprises a stop member pivotally mounted on said outer surface of one of said supports for movements into and out of the path of travel of said gate member from said over center locked position.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said crank arm means includes: a. spaced pairs of crank arms extending laterally from said crankshaft and having aligned openings formed therein; b. said hinge means includes U-shaped straps secured to one longitudinal edge of said gate member, each U-shaped strap having a strap portion positioned between the ends of one of said pair of arms; c. a sleeve received between said one longitudinal edge and each of said strap portions of said U-shaped members and having a longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension of a respective strap portion; and d. an adjustable pin received through said openings in respective ones of each of said pairs of crank arms and their respective sleeve, said pin being adjustable longitudinally thereof to cause frictional engagement of said pairs of crank arms with respect to said sleeves to frictionally restrict pivot movements between said gate member and said pairs of crank arms.
 4. A gate assembly comprising: a. a gate member having spaced longitudinal edges and spaced transverse edges; b. a pair of spaced mounting supports; c. a crankshaft rotatably mounted between the mounting supports, said crankshaft including a handle at one end and spaced pairs of crank arms positioned longitudinally of said crankshaft; d. a pair of U-shaped straps fastened to one of said longitudinal edges of said gate member, each U-shaped strap having a strap portion spaced from said one longitudinal edge and positioned between the arms of one of the pair of crank arms; e. hinge means for hingedly connecting said crank arm to said straps whereby said gate member may be positioned in an overcenter locked relationship and said gate member may be initially moved upward and thereafter pivoted to an open position when moved out of said overcenter locked relationship; f. a latch member fastened to each mounting support; g. a latch bar fastened to said gate member for engaging the latch members when the gate member is in said overcenter locked relationship; h. restraining means for engaging and restraining the swinging movement of said gate member about the axis of said crankshaft to said open position after a dead center point of travel at 180* swingiNg movement has been passed whereby said gate member is maintained in said open position by the force of gravity; and i. stop means for limiting movement of said gate member form said overcenter locked relationship.
 5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said pairs of crank arms each have aligned openings formed therein and wherein said hinge means includes: a. a sleeve received between said one longitudinal edge and each of said strap portions; b. each of said sleeves having a longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension of a restrictive strap portion; c. an adjustable pin received through said aligned openings in each of said pairs of crank arms and a respective sleeve; d. said pins being adjustable longitudinally thereof to cause frictional engagement of said pairs of crank arms with respective opposite ends of said sleeves to frictionally restrict pivotal movement between said gate member and said pairs of crank arms. 